Ven. Thubten Chodron, founder of Washington’s Sravasti Abbey, made history this fall when she was named a global leader. She was one of just two North American-born nuns given the Global Bhikkhuni Award, in Taiwan. Click on photo to go to story >>

NWDA News

Next spring Northwest Dharma Association will support a series of conversations among Buddhist teachers, leaders, and practitioners, as part of the annual Vesakha Buddha day. Our plan is to explore the challenging dynamics and wonderful opportunities available in the rich arena of Buddhist diversity. Vesakha, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, is universally shared among Buddhist…

Dharma Education

Venerable Thubten Chodron— a Buddhist nun, author, teacher, and founder of Sravasti Abbey in Newport, Washington— in November was given the Global Bhikkhuni Award. The award, one of 50 presented to leading nuns by the Chinese Buddhist Bhikkhuni Association of Taiwan, was given during six days of ceremonies Nov. 17 through 23. The ceremonies were conducted in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan….

Dharma in Canada

For Kathok Centre , a traditional Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist center on Canada’s Vancouver Island, 2016 was a year of firsts. We held our first traditional Vajrasattva retreat with Venerable Lingtrul Rinpoche, expanded our temple facilities, and launched a community outreach program we’re calling Compassion in Action Services. In addition we completed a beautiful guest suite, so people can stay for…

Compassionate Action

About 50 silent meditators gathered in Seattle’s Westlake Mall on Black Friday, to support the Black Lives Matter protests that followed soon after. The meditators were associated with the Seattle chapter of Buddhist Peace Fellowship. They laid out sheets and yoga mats on the pavement and silently sat and stood meditating, despite the cacophony of holiday shoppers and loud Christmas music…

Sangha News

The Ashland Zen Center is preparing to take a big step into residential practice by breaking ground for new facilities. The project will include long and short-term residential housing for retreatants, a dorm for meditation intensives, a gathering hall, kitchen, meeting spaces and support facilities. It is both exciting and humbling when we reflect on how we have arrived at…